News

Stage lengths revealed for August 3-6 NASCAR race weekend at Watkins Glen International

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (February 7, 2017) – When the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series roll into Watkins Glen International this coming August, it will be with a twist.

As announced previously by the sanctioning body, the 2017 season will feature an enhanced competition format that will be implemented in both series. Races will now consist of three stages, with championship implications in each stage. The Top-10 finishers of the first two stages will be awarded additional championship points, with the race winner being the recipient of additional championship and playoff points at the conclusion of the final stage.

In the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race, the first two stages will be made up of 20 laps each, ending with caution periods on laps 20 and 40, respectively. Then, a 50-lap third segment will take the field to the checkered flag.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Race

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Lap 1-20

Lap 21-40

Lap 41-90

In the NASCAR XFINITY Series Zippo 200, the first two stages will be made up of 20 laps each, ending with caution periods on laps 20 and 40, respectively. Then, a 42-lap third segment will take the field to the checkered flag.

NASCAR XFINITY Series Zippo 200

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Lap 1-20

Lap 21-40

Lap 41-82

“The new stage-based format is going to further drive excitement and close racing at Watkins Glen International,” said WGI President Michael Printup. “Finishes at The Glen have been historically exciting for our great fans, especially in recent years, and we can’t wait to see what these changes do for the competition here.”

Increasing the sense of urgency and emphasizing aggressive racing and strategy, the race format will deliver more dramatic moments over the course of an entire race and season, with playoff points on the line throughout. NASCAR also announced a playoff bonus structure that will see the regular season points leader honored as the regular season champion, earning 15 playoff points that will be added to the driver’s reset of 2,000.

“These are enhancements that the NASCAR fan has long sought, and the entire industry has worked hard to develop a better racing format for our fans,” NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O’Donnell said previously about the changes. “This format puts a premium on every victory and every in-race position over the course of the season. Each point can eventually result in winning or losing a championship.”

NASCAR conducted an in-depth review on fuel mileage when determining the stage lap counts, with Stage 1 and 2 being approximately 25% to 30% each of the race laps.

NASCAR returns to Watkins Glen this summer during the August 3-6 race weekend. Don’t miss a second of the action with the NASCAR K&N Pro East Series 100 on Friday, NASCAR XFINITY Series Zippo 200 on Saturday, and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 355 at The Glen on Sunday. For tickets and additional information, call 1-866-461-RACE or log on to www.theglen.com.